Benjamin Variable Pump Features
- All-weather, synthetic Monte Carlo stock
- Rifled brass barrel
- Fully adjustable rear sight
- Pin front sight
- Variable power
- Bolt action
- Single-stage trigger
- Manual safety
- Made in the USA
- ManufacturerBenjamin
- Caliber .22
- Velocity 800 fps
- Condition New
- Ammo Type Pellets
- Action Bolt-action
- Barrel Style Rifled
- Fire Mode Single-shot
- Gun Weight 5.50
- Overall Length 36.75
- Loudness 4-Medium-High
- Magazine Capacity 1
- Mechanism Multi-pump pneumatic
- Rail No
- Safety Manual
- Front Sights Blade & Ramp
- Rear Sights Adjustable
- Shots per Fill 0
- Trigger Adjustability Single-stage
- Trigger Action 0
- Use Small game hunting/plinking
- Warranty 1-year limited warranty
Pros
Total replica of my Sheridan 20 cal. that I have had since I was 14 yrs. old. I believe you people are correct on the cheapness of the rear sight, although if you're ready to try other ammo makes, I think you will find it a scary accurate rifle. My Sheridan only likes Sheridan pellets, but Benjamin bought them out years ago and market the pellets as Benjamin. Then they discontinued the 20 cal. Sheridan. Their new pellets are perfect duplicates of Sheridan, and they work great! Try other makes of ammo. For my 177's I have found RWS and H&N to be accurate out to 130 feet. I have a 1377 pistol that is accurate out to ( and kills squirrels ) at 100 feet with these pellets. The long and the short of it is AMMO MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!!
Cons
A better rear sight arrangement would be a winner.
Initially it feels like I paid for more than I got. But that was expected. If you want a pump up .22 air rifle, this is pretty much the only game in town. The platform is known to be accurate, advertised velocities have not been achieved by anyone with a chronograph on YouTube, but the platform is a confirmed squirrel killer at least out to 25 yards. The consensus on forums and YouTube is that you'll want to mount a scope, and use the Baker Airguns reciever to do so. This according to the owner's manual will void your warranty.
The stock is completely ridiculous for a gun with iron sights and no decent way to mount a scope. The manufacturer suggested mounts are known to have wandering zero issues, and as Baker Airguns points out, putting clamps on a brass barrel is not a good idea.
At the end of the day, not unhappy that I bought it. Just wish that Crosman/Benjamin would step up and give us better open sights and ability to mount a scope. Three stars, it's good but not great.
Pros
Definitely displays it's lineage, a classic design that has been around longer than I have and I'm 59 years old. Simple to operate, more accurate than myself and the majority of shootists. Powerful enough for small game.
Cons
This iteration of the classic design screams "CHEAP'. markings are painted on the compression tube. Sights are spartan at best. Fiber optic tubes, or at least some paint would have been nice. As others have noted, overspray in the muzzle will have to be addressed for best accuracy. Stock is ridiculous, almost mandating that one will need to void the warranty to make it useful with a scope by replacing reciever, or by sanding down the ridiculous Mone Carlo stock to use iron sights.
Pros
I`am 80 years old I have no problem pumping this gun up
at 10 yards held a group the size of a dime from bench rest
, this is a keeper. I used beeman field an target pelts.
Cons
sights could be better , but for the cost all is fine.
Great gun for the money
Pros
Light weight, fast handling and powerful
Cons
None so far
The iron sights are terrible. You have to remove both of the little screws and try to center it by eye, then adjust using the screws and it's a guessing game that you will never get right. There is no way to shoot this gun accurately without a scope, but it's not designed to accept a scope, so you need to buy after-market interfaces. Also, if you by some miracle are able to accurately sight-in the iron sights, it's so awkward to hold the rifle because you can't hold this rifle in a normal stance and line up the sights. They are way too low compared to your cheek and line of sight. And to top it all of, once you install a scope, it makes it harder to pump up the gun because the scope gets in the way and reduces your leverage. And trust me, it's very difficult to pump this gun up after the 5th or 6th pump.
Pros
Can be accurate, if and only if you install a scope, which is very cumbersome.
Cons
Iron sights are a total joke. Utterly worthless. Also, doesn't seem to be available in wood stock anymore.
It’s well made. Accurate enough for plinking and hunting. I’m pleased with it.
Pros
Shot to point of aim out of the box without any adjustment. Two pumps is just right for shooting indoors.
Cons
Comb on stock is too high for the iron sights. It’s design for scope shooting.
Unless you enjoy tinkering, or are prepared to spend money and time on this gun?? Don't buy it!!
Pros
The rifle shoots one inch groups accurately at fifty feet with iron sights. It weighs 5.5 pounds so it won't be a burden after hours outdoors.
Cons
Improve the quality control so there isn't paint inside the muzzles of guns leaving the factory! Redesign the steel breech so you can install decent sights, scopes, lasers, etc. Replace the brass barrel assembly with a steel one? Replace the ancient rear sight with a decent "Williams" quality sight positioned near the bolt. Get rid of the monte carlo profile on the synthetic stock. Offer the rifle with sling mounts. "Mod it up" like the Benjamin PCP's or remove it from your product line.
Sheridan's were very accurate and powerful - 10 pumps or so. They were also .20 caliber in their day.
Pros
Metal portion still a Sheridan !
Cons
Probably nothing.
One of the best pumpers on the market, especially at the price point. Loves H&N barracudas (.22) and even has the power to pump out JSB Exact Jumbo Beast 33.96 grain ammo (shot from 25 yd)
Pros
Powerful pumper. Sturdy, all weather stock. Dead accurate from 35 yards with the factory sights.
Cons
Pumps 6-8 can be laborious, probably best as a lap pumper as opposed to the traditional pumping method.
Question?
Login to ask someone who bought this product.Is there a way to get a PDF manual for the rifle? Want to replace some parts and cannot find the PDF manual online.
asked Mars from USAIS THERE A FIX FOR THE REAR SIGHT
asked Alfred Adrienne from USAWhat is the length of pull on this airgun.
asked David from USAI don't understand why this company is putting out a lower level product compared to what it used to be, when it is so easy to avoid it. I see constant complaints about overspray of the paint into the rifled barrel, interfering with accuracy, and the lack of option for the nice wooden stock option.... I can say with experience my recently purchased syth stock .22 is inferior to the walnut version I bought many years ago.
asked Paul from USAAny idea where you can get .20 caliber ammo for the older Sheridens made ?
asked Salvatore from USAYes since this panic demic started everyone and their mother is buying up ammo and guns so both have become increasingly hard to find. Most of what you read is covid this or covid that . Ridiculous in my opinion . All that can be done is wait til manufacturing can catch up. Also 20 caliber is not as popular as other calibers , most aren't chambered for any more. I have Sheridan's to so i feel your pain.
Stanley from USAWhat is the approved method of removing the entire sight ramp of a Benjamin .22 model 392S ?
asked John from USAIf you are referring to the rear sight assembly? The approved method is to send it back to the shop. But I tinker with things. I mounted a Williams peep sight on my 392S, and got rid of the rear sight, as soon as the gun came through the mail. If you want to do it your self? Remove the screws for adjusting windage and elevation. Drive the rear sight notch off the base with a pin punch where the windage screws were. From there? That's a brass barrel so, carefully tap out the wedges that the mount clamps onto. You may risk scratching the finish so be careful, or use a sharpie to cover up your mistakes.
John from USAare the open sights really such an issue, will the 177 really get 1100fps and last is it very hard to pump 1st 3 and then 9-10?
asked Joseph from USA(392s) I use the open sights by getting a cheek weld back at the rear of the buttstock behind the comb. Awkward for off-the-cuff shooting (works better w/front rest), but I can and do shoot this way with accuracy. FPS estimates probably are inflated, but 900-1000 almost certainly is accurate for the 397s and should be more than enough. Pumps 1 through 3 are pretty easy and I'm 65 and disabled. All the way up and back, slow and steady, is the way to do it. It gets tougher near the end of each return stroke. It is harder to do 10, but by no means impossible: I still can, but 6 to 8 usually is sufficient for smaller game. The bigger the critter (or further the distance), the more you need. Younger and reasonably healthy should have no trouble at all. I love mine -- great rifle. Good luck!
Bubba from USAOpen sights versus optics is a personal choice. As the pump count goes up it gets harder to pump.
Mark from USAWhat rail do I need to put a scope on this
asked Kyle from USAAir Venturi Intermount, Fits Benjamin... $27.99
Mark from USAWhat accuracy does this rifle have at 25 yards?
asked Brett from USAVery accurate at 25 yards.
Mark from USADoes it come in a wood stock
asked Brett from USAI have a model 293 with a wood stock
John from USAno
Mark from USAanyone know where i can see a velocity chart per pump for this gun?
asked joseph acavellI recently purchased mine online and 'they' provided a chronograph report with velocities from 10 pumps down to 1 pump with an RWS Hobby .22cal pellet. You might find some youtube reviews that would help.
John from USAIs there a scope setup for this rifle
asked CraigTry Baker airguns.com they a sweet mount for these guns.
Stanley from USAWhere ever you mount a scope, it will influence your ability to feed pellets, and your grip for pumping up the rifle. Some folks have suggested a scout scope mount with long eye relief, mounted forward of the pellet loading port. Baker Airguns make a scope mount that works on Benjamins/Sheridans putting the scope over the pellet loading port. You could use high scope mounts which would give you more clearance at the pellet loading port.
John from USAHas the quality improved on this rifle
asked James HarwellQuality control has slipped so much since those Sheridan days . Company's are pushing these high dollar PCP 's so hard. I have several PCP's myself , but every now and then i like going old school with a break barrel or multi-pump because they don't rely on a fill source , just pellets and the gun .
Stanley from USAThe quality hasn't improved! What does $200 buy you nowadays!! It is a classic! An accurate pump up rifle, but Crosman is investing in PCP's and the next big thing! They are making the wrong mods on this rifle. The original short radius rear sight should have been replaced long ago. The synthetic stock isn't bad, but the monte carlo design with its 'speed bump' is a step backwards. I used a wood rasp and sandpaper to do some stock reduction so I could get a decent cheek weld and sight through. There was paint in the muzzle crown interfering with accuracy past thirty feet. I drilled out sling mounts outdoor shooting. When all is said and done, after all the tinkering, I can shoot a one inch group at fifty feet with a peep sight this rifle. It's a shame I couldn't do that straight out of the box!! It's also a shame that others have reviewed/complained about the same things I've found! Caveat Emptor!
John from USA
I doubt that it will run as well or long as my earlier version.
Pros
.177 cal. I had a Benjamin when I was a kid.
Cons
I was expecting some nostalgia, did not happen. I just hope the mechanics perform as my earlier gun. I cant say much else as I havent shot it, the iron sights are horrid, and I haven't received the scope mount system as of yet. The plastic furniture is atrocious. So, why did buy? I needed a pellet gun NOW. Air gun depot were good to work with though. At the end of the day, it was my choice to buy it and I did so with eyes open. It is not he gun of my past but ultimately it will do.